Test Overview
HPLC with electrochemical detection
The three catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) are the principal secretory products of neural tissue. Clinically, the measurement of circulating catecholamines is valuable in the diagnosis of catecholamine secreting tumors associated chiefly with hypertension (phechromocytomas, neuroblastomas, and gangliomas) and with the evaluation of orthostatic hypotension.
Stages of anxiety and stress can cause fluctuations in the catecholamine levels.
Test Details
3 days
- Adrenaline, Plasma
- Catecholamine Fractionation, Plasma
- Catecholamines, Free, Plasma
- Catecholamines, Unconjugated, Plasma
- Dopamine, Plasma
- Epinephrine, Plasma
- Noradrenaline, Plasma
- Norepinephrine, Plasma
- Plasma Catecholamine
- Catocholimine
- PCAT
- SCATP
- CFPST
- CFPSU
- Clonidine Suppression Test
- Pheochromocytoma
Specimen Requirements
Overnight fasting is preferred but not required, and the patient should abstain from nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, and strenuous exercise for three hours prior to specimen collection. Patients should be relaxed in either a supine or upright position before blood is drawn. Collect specimen in a pre-chilled green top tube. Centrifuge, aliquot plasma into a plastic vial and freeze within 30 minutes of collection.
See below for patient preparation and/or collection instructions. Collect in prechilled tube and place on ice immediately. Must arrive in lab or aliquot and freeze within 30 minutes of collection.
Additional Information
Test includes Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, and Total Catecholamines. Test sent to Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute of Valencia.